A Tribute to Lew Ross
June 17, 1939 – July 4, 2026
Some people leave a mark through a career. Others through sport, community service, friendship, or family. Lew Ross managed to do all of these and more.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 17, 1939, the youngest of four brothers. Lew was educated at Shawlands Academy and later earned a Diploma in Management from the University of Strathclyde. Married to Dorothy in November 1960 they emigrated to Canada in 1967, beginning a remarkable new chapter that would span nearly six decades. Together they built a loving family,
raising their children Fraser (Maureen) and Deirdre (Mark), and later taking immense pride in their grandsons Parker (Cosima) and Cameron (Sierra), and most recently his treasured great-granddaughter, Savannah.
Professionally, Lew enjoyed an accomplished career in Information Technology. After seven years with Rolls-Royce in the United Kingdom, he was recruited to Canada by Safeway in 1967 as a founding member of its Information Technology group. Over the next 35 years, he helped guide the growth and evolution of the department, rising through a variety of management positions
before retiring as Manager of Information Technology in 2002.
Those who worked alongside Lew remember far more than his professional accomplishments. They remember his booming laugh, his cheerful spirit, his ability to mentor and encourage others, and his gift for communication. He had a rare talent for making people feel welcome and valued.
His speeches were always entertaining, his emails often legendary, and his friendships lasting. As many former Safeway colleagues have noted, Lew was one of the great personalities of his generation and a man who made every workplace better simply by being part of it.
Sport was another lifelong passion. As a young man in Scotland, Lew devoted himself to rugby and track and field, particularly the throwing events. After arriving in Canada, he continued his involvement in athletics, dedicating countless hours to developing young athletes. He served as a throws coach in Junior Development Track and Field programs for fifteen years and spent seventeen years with the Delta District Youth Soccer Association as coach, manager, administrator, board member, and eventually Chairman of the Board.
Yet it was within the Scottish Highland Games community that Lew became truly legendary. Beginning in 1975, Lew immersed himself in every aspect of Highland Games competition and culture. For nearly three decades he competed, organized, adjudicated, commentated, lectured, and promoted games throughout British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. His competitive travels took him from Florida to Hawaii and from Southern California to Whitehorse. Along the way, he won 27 individual games championships and twice captured the prestigious Bill Anderson Trophy as U.S. Open Masters Champion. This body of work culminated into being inducted into the Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation Hall of Fame 2007 and nominated to the BC Hall of
Fame 2025.
Even after stepping away from competition, Lew remained one of the most recognizable ambassadors of the Highland Games, sharing his knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm with generations of athletes and spectators. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, the City of Coquitlam honoured him in 2019 by naming a section of Town Centre Park, home of the annual
Highland Games, Lew Ross Field.
Lew was proud of his Scottish heritage and often stated he was proudly Canadian and happily Scottish. He maintained strong ties with organizations such as The Sons of Scotland and the B.C. Pipers Association. Whether gardening, fishing, snorkeling, travelling, or piping, he approached life with curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm.
Lew’s talents extended beyond sports and business into community theatre. He first performed with a theatre group in Parksville and later joined the Chilliwack Players Guild. With his natural storytelling ability, quick wit, and larger-than-life personality, he was equally at home on stage as he was behind a podium or on the Highland Games field. Theatre provided him with another
opportunity to entertain, build friendships, and embrace new challenges.
In recent years, Lew faced significant health challenges. True to form, he fought each battle with determination, courage, and characteristic stubbornness. Hospital stays became all too frequent, but he never stopped hoping, never stopped pushing forward, and never stopped appreciating the people around him. He remained fiercely independent, strong-willed, and resilient to the very end.
Those closest to him knew that beneath his direct and sometimes blunt manner was a deeply caring man who valued authenticity, kindness, and loyalty. He was immensely proud of his family and often spoke about Fraser, Deirdre, Parker, Cameron, their partners, and the support they provided. He was especially captivated by the arrival of his great-granddaughter Savannah,
whose visit during his final hospitalization brought him tremendous joy.
Lew was indeed a lucky man, but those who knew him were lucky too.
He leaves behind a legacy of leadership, service, friendship, mentorship, athletic achievement, and family devotion. He was larger than life, a respected colleague, a fierce competitor, and a loyal friend. His laughter, stories, wisdom, and unmistakable presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Lew Ross lived life to the fullest, fought the good fight, and leaves behind a legacy that will endure for generations.

Rest in peace, Lew. You will not be forgotten.

submitted by the Ross family.

Celebration of Life, Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 1:00 pm, SKY Hangar 18799 Airport Way, Pitt Meadows.

The BC Pipers’ Association extends our heartfelt sympathies to Lew Ross’s son Fraser, daughter Deidre and their families, friends and all who had the great fortune of knowing Lew. A pillar of the Scottish community, a supporter of the BC Pipers’ Association and the BC Highland games were truly appreciated. Lew volunteered his services for many many Robbie Burns’ Suppers around the lower mainland and his rendition of the Immortal memory, or reciting the Address to the Haggis will fondly be remembered. His contributions to the Scottish Athletic Events are legendary and will live on at the Games on “Lew Ross Field”. A genuine, kind, and caring person with a booming laugh, will always be remembered as one of the finest gentleman.